On a flat lot in Marin County overlooking San Francisco Bay is a technological playground housed in luxurious finishes. A Savant System controlled by wall-mounted iPads and iPods operates everything from the entry gate to the radiant heating, as well as fireplaces, fountains, intercoms and security systems.

But the home is more than just a computerized wonderland; it's also architecturally intriguing and energy efficient.

Natural woods like elm, olive ash and cedar combine with Japanese influences in the new home at 460 Ridge Road in Tiburon.

"We wanted to create a Big Sur experience in Tiburon," said Lowell Strauss of Amalfi Ridge LLC., which purchased the land and developed the home in the Hill Haven neighborhood.

The original structure - a 1950s ranch home suffering from years of deferred maintenance - was demolished to make way for the home, Strauss said.

The natural horizontal striations in the granite walls are inspired by mid-century modern homes, Strauss said, and the use of natural materials to support the steel frame is crucial to the design's appearance.

Cedar slats in the ceiling provide acoustic balance for the surround sound system, while walls of glass and frameless windows create a seamless transition between indoors and out.

One place where this is truly captured is with the master suite, Strauss said, where a 1,300-square-foot Ipe wood deck surrounded by glass railing overlooks the water.

The deck extends past the master bathroom, which is partially illuminated by walls of glass.

"If you open the windows up you are sitting in the bath, but feel like you're sitting on the deck," he said.

Like the deck, Ipe wood lines the floors of the master bathroom. The space is also decorated with Ann Sack's glass tiles, Italian lighting and a 65-inch flat-screen television.

Inside the master suite, a European gas fireplace warms the space while an 8-foot-tall olive ash floating wall headboard serves as a partition for the room.

A custom kitchen designed by Studio Becker is one of the highlights downstairs. Horizontal grain olive ash wood and Caesarstone countertops complement the induction cooktop and connects to a walk-through pantry and prep area with double ovens and heating drawers.

With its views of the San Francisco skyline and bathroom with walk-in shower, the guest suite on the main level could also serve as a master suite. The bathroom connects to a terrace intended to serve as a guest dressing room for the pool and spa, and the exterior space also includes an outdoor shower and hanging gardens.

A handmade, stainless steel fire pit, infinity edge pool and outdoor kitchen with 42-inch grill complete the backyard, which is accessible from many rooms of the Tiburon home.

Those who experience the home want to linger in it, Strauss said.

"People just want to stay there," he said. "They'll say they have to go, and 15 minutes later they are still there."

Details

Address: 460 Ridge Road, Tiburon.

Price: $8.995 million.

Features: Five-bedroom, five-bathroom newly built 5,000-square-foot home with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline; Savant System operated by wall-mounted iPads and iPods controls heating, security, lighting and sound systems.